August 2010
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The Importance of Proper Ventilation for Indoor Spas
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Choose the Right Pool Cover
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Get Ready for Pool Season
March 2008
by John Mulligan
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Picture this: translucent pool water shimmering under the hot sun, and you wading in it or relaxing nearby. That’s probably the summer you imagined while trapped indoors these past winter months. Now that pool season is finally here your vision can become a reality — but not without the proper preparation.
Opening Your Pool:
Steps to Success!
If your pool is going to withstand months of use, you’ll need to make sure you start the season right. The following tasks will help you get ready for pool season, whether you’re using a chlorine or chlorine-free system.
The first step is to uncover your pool. If you store your pool cover during the summer, clean it first to prevent mildew and deterioration.
Next you have to clean the inside of the pool and the pool deck. During the winter, your pool sits stagnant. “Decaying leaves, pollywogs, snakes, dead mice and other critters have taken up residence,” says Paul Loomis, water scientist for Arch Chemicals, Inc. Use a leaf skimmer to remove any debris or unwanted guests. Once the bulky trash has been scooped out with the leaf net, brush the pool floor and walls with a pool brush to remove dirt and slime.
The skimmer basket, filter, hair and lint trap on the pump, main drains and pool returns should also be checked for debris to make sure they aren’t blocked or clogged. Then you can reconnect your equipment, including all plumbing and electrical components, inspecting them as you go for signs of wear or rust. If anything needs repair or replacement, now is the time to do so.
Once this is accomplished and all the equipment has been reconnected, you’re now ready to top up your pool. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The pool should be filled to midway across the skimmer opening.
Turn It On, Check It Out
Next, turn on the pump and observe to see that everything is operating properly. If you have any leaks, or air bubbles coming out of the return line, find the source of the leak or the air (usually a leak on the suction side of the pump), and repair it. Once you’re satisfied that all is in good working order, vacuum out the pool. Make sure the vacuum you use won’t damage your pool’s finish.
After you finish vacuuming and backwashing, this is a good time to chemically clean your filter. Consult your professional dealer for expert advice. It’s important to start the year with optimal pool water. Maintaining proper water balance is a key element to successful pool care. Pool care experts recommend that you take a pool water sample to your professional dealer at the beginning of the season (take a water sample from 18 inches below the pool surface). Professional dealers will be able to provide you with accurate and comprehensive test results. They will also offer you specific advice on how to balance your water. Always follow your dealer’s instructions for water balance. You can also balance the pool yourself using test strips purchased from your professional dealer. See the chart below for the recommended water balance parameters.
Simplify Your Pool Care
Keep pool care simple and adopt an easy, convenient system. For pools using a chlorine-based system, POOLLife® Magazine suggests the POOLIFE® MultiPurpose Tablet System or the POOLIFE Active Cleaning Caplet System. For chlorine-free pools we recommend the BAQUACIL® CDX™ system or the BAQUACIL system.
After following these simple steps, you’ll see that opening your pool for the season is a breeze and you’ll be on your way to splashing and relaxing.
Water Balance Parameters Chart
Below are the recommended levels for five important water balance factors.
| Water Balance Factors | BAQUACIL (Chlorine-free) | POOLIFE or Pool Breeze® (Chlorine-based) |
|---|---|---|
| Sanitizer | 40-50 ppm | 1-4 ppm |
| pH | 7.2-7.8 | 7.2-7.6 |
| Total Alkalinity (TA) | 80-150 ppm | 60-120 ppm (Depends on what sanitizer chemistry you use (check with your dealer) |
| Hardness | 180-250 ppm vinyl pools 200-275 ppm plaster pools |
200-500 ppm (Up to 1000 ppm is acceptable) |
| Stabilizer (cyanuric acid) | Not applicable | 20-50 ppm |
